How to get a free tree for your Philly home

Want a willow oak for your front yard? Eyeing an Eastern red cedar for the side yard? Perusing pawpaws for the back?

Philadelphia property owners can pick from a number of free yard or street trees provided by the TreePhilly program under the parks and recreation department.  Registration is open now through April 8.  The trees are supplied by a partnership with Fairmount Park Conservancy and TD Bank.  Species include large shade trees, small flowering trees, and fruit trees.

The city says urban trees can help clean the air, provide shade, increase property values, and impart a sense of peace.

"Increasing Philadelphia's tree canopy is essential to increasing the quality of our neighborhoods," said Mayor Kenney.

Registrants can pick up a tree for personal or public use.  A street tree can be planted in a planting strip in the public right-of-way between the sidewalk and curb. A yard tree can be planted in the ground on private property.

It helps to know which size tree you'll want.  For example, a white oak can grow 80 feet tall, while a dogwood might grow 20 feet.

Philadelphia has been giving out trees since 2012.  The city gives away about 1,000 trees a year to private property owners. However, it also gives to groups. To date, the program has handed out about 19,000 trees.

Residents are encouraged to pre-register for the main tree giveaway event on April 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center.  The event will also feature tree planting and care demonstrations, as well as free mulch.

Other tree giveaway dates across the city are:

Wednesday, April 4:
Parkway Central Library Yard Tree Giveaway
In partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in Center City (No pre-registration required)

Saturday, April 7:
Make The World Better Community Yard Tree Giveaway
12 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the Norris Square neighborhood

Sunday, April 8:
Associated Polish Home Community Yard Tree Giveaway
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Torresdale neighborhood

Sunday, April 15:
John Heinz Wildlife Refuge Community Yard Tree Giveaway
In partnership with Friends of Heinz Wildlife Refuge, Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition, and Audubon Pennsylvania
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Eastwick neighborhood

Friday, April 20:
Dickinson Square West Civic Association Community Yard Tree Giveaway
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the Dickinson Square West neighborhood

Arbrew Day Yard Tree Giveaway
In partnership with Yards Brewing Company. Pop-up yard tree giveaway event at bars across the city: Devil's Den, Dawson Street Pub, Frankford Hall, London Grill, Grey Lodge, Whole Foods Market Center City, Whole Foods Market South Street.
5 p.m. – 8 p.m., multiple neighborhoods

Saturday, April 21:
Penn State Alumni Community Yard Tree Giveaway
In partnership with SHARE Food Program
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. in Allegheny West neighborhood

PowerCorpsPHL Community Yard Tree Giveaway
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Strawberry Mansion neighborhood

Sunday, April 22:
REPTreePhilly Yard Tree Giveaway
In partnership with Plumer & Associates Real Estate
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fishtown neighborhood

Holmesburg Civic Association Community Yard Tree Giveaway
In partnership with Philadelphia Insectarium & Butterfly Pavilion
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Holmesburg neighborhood

Muslim Youth Center of Philadelphia Community Yard Tree Giveaway
3 p.m. – 5 p.m. in the Millbrook neighborhood

Friday, April 27:
Arbor Day Celebration
At Fernhill Park in the East Germantown neighborhood

Saturday, April 28:
Somerton Civic Association Community Yard Tree Giveaway
In partnership with MaST Community Charter School
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the Somerton neighborhood

Zion Pentecostal Church of God & CDC Community Yard Tree Giveaway
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Haddington Neighborhood

Saturday, May 5:
Frankford CDC Community Yard Tree Giveaway
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the Frankford neighborhood

Wednesday, May 9:
Esperanza Community Yard Tree Giveaway
In partnership with the Wyoming Free Library
5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the Feltonville neighborhood